installing xp over linux problem

[geordie_john]

hello my system crashed and when i tried to install windows xp again it said the ipconfig file was corrupt so i loaded linux instead but i cannot find my way around linux,i now have another copy of xp but when i try to install it on my pc linux keeps loading,is there a f key like f8 so i can format the drive and reinstall xp again please?

thank you

[-pops-]

Are you trying to install XP with Linux already running?

If so, try this: ensure that CD is the first boot device in BIOS then put the XP disk in, shut down and reboot. The machine should find the XP disk and continue to install on top of Linux.

If this doesn't work, you may need to format the drive before you can install.

[geordie_john]

Are you trying to install XP with Linux already running?

If so, try this: ensure that CD is the first boot device in BIOS then put the XP disk in, shut down and reboot. The machine should find the XP disk and continue to install on top of Linux.

If this doesn't work, you may need to format the drive before you can install.

which f key do i press to change the bios please?

[catgate]

It varies. Try F2 or maybe F10

[Seshomaru Samma]

I think the XP install media will not recognise the Linux partition because Windows is unable to see ext3 file systems.

If you wish to get rid of Linux , you will need to format the partition using some sort of live-Cd -in most Linux live CDs there is an application called gParted that would do it, you can find some DOS cd's with partition magic , though those are rare.

you can use anything that will allow you to boot from CD and format the Linux partition as FAT32 or NTFS so Windows will be able to see.

Personally, I think you should give Linux a chance . Install XP alongside Linux in a dual boot ,use Linux when you have time to learn and boot back in XP when you are tired of it. It's well worth it.

To dual boot - install XP on a different partition than reinstall GRUB (the menu that allows you to choose which OS to boot) , here are instructions for reinstalling grub with a live CD , it's fairly simple (the instructions are for Ubuntu ,but other Linux distro should be similar)

[geordie_john]

I think the XP install media will not recognise the Linux partition because Windows is unable to see ext3 file systems.

If you wish to get rid of Linux , you will need to format the partition using some sort of live-Cd -in most Linux live CDs there is an application called gParted that would do it, you can find some DOS cd's with partition magic , though those are rare.

you can use anything that will allow you to boot from CD and format the Linux partition as FAT32 or NTFS so Windows will be able to see.

Personally, I think you should give Linux a chance . Install XP alongside Linux in a dual boot ,use Linux when you have time to learn and boot back in XP when you are tired of it. It's well worth it.

To dual boot - install XP on a different partition than reinstall GRUB (the menu that allows you to choose which OS to boot) , here are instructions for reinstalling grub with a live CD , it's fairly simple (the instructions are for Ubuntu ,but other Linux distro should be similar)

ok thank you i will give linux another go

[juansifu]

If you just want to remove Linux then you will need to change the boot options in the Bios to boot from CD first. Here are some instructions on installing Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316941 and here also http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1435

[Alan2273]

If you look at the splash page, (the first one you see with the white writing on a black background), at the bottom it will tell you which key to press to enter the BIOS, it is either the DELETE or F2 button.

When you access the BIOS you use the up & down arrows to navigate it and the ESCAPE button will take you back.

When you have altered the boot option to CD, press F10, then press the Y key and press ENTER, this will exit the BIOS and save the changes.

Make sure you have the XP disk in before exiting the BIOS.